Sonic Sampling Research Articles

The microbiology of periprosthetic joint infections as revealed by sonicate cultures in Korea: Routine use of fungal and mycobacterial cultures is necessary?

Although sonication is a valuable diagnostic tool for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), it is not commonly utilized. We analyzed sonicate and intraoperative tissue culture results obtained from three hospitals to define the microbial etiology of PJIs in Korea. Furthermore, we investigated necessity of conducting regular fungal and mycobacterial cultures. We retrospectively analyzed data for patients with suspected orthopedic-related infections between 2017 and 2022, who had undergone prostheses removal surgery. We included 193 patients with suspected PJIs, and bacterial (n = 193), fungal (n = 193), and mycobacterial (n = 186) cultures were conducted on both sonicate and intraoperative tissue samples. The diagnosis of PJI was based on the European Bone and Joint Infection Society (EBJIS) criteria. Out of 193 patients, 121 (62.7%) had positive sonicate cultures, while 112 (58.0%) had positive periprosthetic tissue cultures. According to EBJIS criteria, a total of 181 patients were diagnosed with PJI, and 141 patients received microbiological confirmation through sonicate fluid culture or tissue culture. Of the 181 patients, 28 were classified with acute PJI (within 3 months of implantation) and 153 with chronic PJI. Among 141 patients, staphylococci were the most common organisms, accounting for 51.8% of cases, followed by Gram-negative organisms (15.6%), fungus (8.5%), and mycobacteria (3.5%). Nearly 91.7% of fungal isolates were Candida species, which also grew in bacterial cultures. In total, 11 cases cultured positive only in tissue culture, whereas 20 cases cultured positive only in sonicate culture. The antibiotic treatment plans were adjusted according to culture results. Utilizing sonicate culture has greatly assisted in identifying pathogens responsible for chronic indolent PJIs, allowing suitable antimicrobial treatment. Based on few cases involving non-Candida and mycobacterial infections, it appears that routine fungal and mycobacterial cultures may not be necessary.

Analysis of Oleogel Volatile Profile Formation under Ultrasonic Treatment.

Under certain conditions, ultrasonic treatment of certain foods and ingredients can contribute to the appearance of an extraneous odor, which is not usual for them, especially in fat-containing products. Since the food sector uses high-intensity ultrasound to control the crystallization of fats, the development of foreign smells and secondary fat oxidation products may impact the quality and safety of such items. In this work, we studied the volatile compounds' profiles of oleogels structured with individual fractions of beeswax using ultrasonic treatment. For this work, six samples of oleogels were obtained. Sunflower oil was used as a fatty base, and three fractions of beeswax were used as gelators: hydrocarbon fraction (>99%), monoester fraction (>95%), and a mixture fraction of wax di- and triesters (10.1%), free fatty acids (40.1%), and free fatty alcohols (49.8%). The influence of ultrasonic treatment on the properties of oleogels was assessed using light microscopy in polarized light, texture analysis, gas chromatography with flame ionization, and mass spectrometric detection. Ultrasonic treatment affected the crystallization of oleogels and led to the formation of smaller crystals. At the same time, sonication led to both an increase and a decrease in the firmness of oleogels, depending on the composition of the gelator. As regards volatile compounds, a total of 121 fragrant substances were identified in all samples, including such groups as alkanes, alkenes, alkadienes, alkynes, alkadiynes, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, terpenes, alkyl alkane, and alkyl benzene derivatives. Ultrasonic treatment caused formation of new volatile unsaturated compounds. Some of them are known to have an unpleasant odor and thus might be responsible for the extraneous odor formation in studied fatty systems. Those were mainly (E)-2-octene, 1-heptene, 1,3-butadiene, and 1,3-octadiene in all oleogel samples. Sonicated samples B and C additionally had but-1-en-3-yne, pentenyne, and 1,3-butadiyne, whose odor can also be characterized as extraneous and distasteful. Several volatile compounds, supposed to be products of lipid oxidation, were also identified. Here we assume a reasonable approach is needed when selecting sonication conditions to prevent undesirable taste and flavor in oleogels and oleogel-based food products.

Impact of acoustic intensity on melting behavior of ice cream

Ice cream mixes (407 ± 12 total solids g/kg and 115 ± 14 fat g/kg) were subjected to power ultrasound at different acoustic intensity (11-18 W/cm2), and the resulting ice creams were evaluated for melting (oscillatory rheology from −20 to 10 °C) and meltdown (gravimetrical test) behavior. All samples showed a sigmoidal melting curve characterized by two plateaus and a linear segment between the plateaus. A dominant solid behavior (G′ >G″) was observed in ice creams made with sonicated mixes (11 and 18 W/cm2). Acoustic levels of 14.4 ± 0.5 and 18.4 ± 0.8 W/cm2 delayed the onset of meltdown by about 3.0-fold and increased the maximum meltdown compared with the control ice creams. Sonicated samples resulted in approximately 2.0-fold viscosity increment within the high spectrum of shear rate compared with the control samples. Dynamic rheology showed a gel-like and strain-thinning behavior of sonicated mixes. The control ice cream displayed moderate hardness (91 ± 9 N) and an onset of meltdown of 642 ± 45 s, whereas the sonicated samples exhibited hardness of 156–218 N and onset of meltdown values of 1900–2200 s. The outcomes of this study demonstrate the ability of power ultrasound to delay the onset of meltdown, providing processing strategies for structuring frozen desserts with delayed meltdown.

The value of sonication in the differential diagnosis of septic and aseptic femoral and tibial shaft nonunion in comparison to conventional tissue culture and histopathology: a prospective multicenter clinical study

BackgroundSeptic and aseptic nonunion require different therapeutic strategies. However, differential diagnosis is challenging, as low-grade infections and biofilm-bound bacteria often remain undetected. Therefore, the examination of biofilm on implants by sonication and the evaluation of its value for differentiating between femoral or tibial shaft septic and aseptic nonunion in comparison to tissue culture and histopathology was the focus of this study.Materials and methodsOsteosynthesis material for sonication and tissue samples for long-term culture and histopathologic examination from 53 patients with aseptic nonunion, 42 with septic nonunion and 32 with regular healed fractures were obtained during surgery. Sonication fluid was concentrated by membrane filtration and colony-forming units (CFU) were quantified after aerobic and anaerobic incubation. CFU cut-off values for differentiating between septic and aseptic nonunion or regular healers were determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis. The performances of the different diagnostic methods were calculated using cross-tabulation.ResultsThe cut-off value for differentiating between septic and aseptic nonunion was ≥ 13.6 CFU/10 ml sonication fluid. With a sensitivity of 52% and a specificity of 93%, the diagnostic performance of membrane filtration was lower than that of tissue culture (69%, 96%) but higher than that of histopathology (14%, 87%). Considering two criteria for infection diagnosis, the sensitivity was similar for one tissue culture with the same pathogen in broth-cultured sonication fluid and two positive tissue cultures (55%). The combination of tissue culture and membrane-filtrated sonication fluid had a sensitivity of 50%, which increased up to 62% when using a lower CFU cut-off determined from regular healers. Furthermore, membrane filtration demonstrated a significantly higher polymicrobial detection rate compared to tissue culture and sonication fluid broth culture.ConclusionsOur findings support a multimodal approach for the differential diagnosis of nonunion, with sonication demonstrating substantial usefulness.Level of Evidence: Level 2Trial registration DRKS00014657 (date of registration: 2018/04/26)

Mass spectrometry-based proteomic profiling of sonicate fluid differentiates Staphylococcus aureus periprosthetic joint infection from non-infectious failure: A pilot study.

This pilot study aimed to use proteomic profiling of sonicate fluid samples to compare host response during Staphylococcus aureus-associated periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and non-infected arthroplasty failure (NIAF) and identify potential novel biomarkers differentiating the two. In this pilot study, eight sonicate fluid samples (four from NIAF and four from S. aureus PJI) were studied. Samples were reduced, alkylated, and trypsinized overnight, followed by analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on a high-resolution Orbitrap Eclipse mass spectrometer. MaxQuant software suite was used for protein identification, filtering, and label-free quantitation. Principal component analysis of the identified proteins clearly separated S. aureus PJI and NIAF samples. Overall, 810 proteins were identified based on their detection in at least three out of four samples from each group; 35 statistically significant differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were found (two-sample t-test p-values ≤0.05 and log2 fold-change values ≥2 or ≤-2). Gene ontology pathway analysis found that microbial defense responses, specifically those related to neutrophil activation, to be increased in S. aureus PJI compared to NIAF samples. Proteomic profiling of sonicate fluid using LC-MS/MS differentiated S. aureus PJI and NIAF in this pilot study. Further work is needed using a larger sample size and including non-S. aureus PJI and a diversty of NIAF-types.

Sustainable emerging sonication processing: Impact on fungicide reduction and the overall quality characteristics of tomato juice

Sonication is an emerging sustainable and eco-friendly technology that has been broadly explored in food processing and preservation. Sonication has the edges of low energy consumption and high efficiency than conventional decontamination methods and would not pass on secondary pollutants. In the current research, we analyzed the impact of sonication on anilazine fungicide reduction, bioactive compound, antioxidant activity, colloidal stability, and enzymatic and microbial load of tomato juice. Sonicated treatments were carried out at 40 kHz, 480 W, 30 ± 2 °C for 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 min in an ultrasonic bath cleaner. The GC–MS outcomes revealed that the anilazine maximum reduction in tomato juice attained 80.52 % at 40 min of sonication. The anilazine concentration reduced significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with increased sonication time. In contrast, sonication treatments have acquired the highest TFC, TPC, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, lycopene, ABTS, and ORAC assay than the untreated sample. The Sonication process significantly improved (p ≤ 0.05) colloidal stability by reducing particle size distribution, apparent viscosity, and sedimentation index. Sonication prolonged tomato juice's shelf life by reducing the total viable count from 6.31 to 1.91 log CFU/mL. Polygalacturonase and pectin methyl esterase of the sonication sample at 40 min were inactivated by 44.32 % and 64.2 %, respectively. Considering this issue from a future perspective, sonication processing can be used industrially to enhance fruit juice's nutritional properties and shelf life and reduce pesticides and other organic residues.

Probing the impact of sustainable emerging sonication and DBD plasma technologies on the quality of wheat sprouts juice.

Sonication and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma are sustainable emerging food processing technologies. The study investigates the impact of sonication, DBD-plasma, and thermal treatment (TT) on wheat sprout juice. The obtained results indicated a significant (p<0.05) increase in chlorophyll, total phenolics, flavonoids, DPPH assay, and ORAC assay after DBD-plasma (40V) and sonication (30 mins) treatment as compared to TT and untreated samples. Both emerging technologies significantly (p<0.05) reduce the polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities, but the TT sample had the highest reduction. Moreover, the synergistic application of both technologies significantly reduced the E. coli/Coliform, aerobics, yeast and mold up to the 2 log reduction, but the TT sample had a complete reduction. DBD-plasma and sonication processing significantly decreased (p<0.05) the particle size, reducing apparent viscosity (η) and consistency index (K); while increasing the flow behavior (n), leading to higher stability of wheat sprout juice. To assess the impact of emerging techniques on nutrient concentration, we used surface-enhance Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as an emerging method. Silver-coated gold nano-substrates were used to compare the nutritional concentration of wheat sprout juice treated with sonication, DBD-plasma, and TT-treated samples. Results showed sharp peaks for samples treated with DBD-plasma followed by sonication, untreated, and TT. The obtained results, improved quality of wheat sprout juice, and lower microbial and enzymatic loads were confirmed, showing the suitability of these sustainable processing techniques for food processing and further research.

Withdrawal Statement: Effect of ultrasound treatment on meat quality and connective tissue collagen of Oula Tibetan sheep meat

The effects of the treatment for low-frequency high-intensity ultrasound (US) on the meat quality and connective tissue collagen of Oula Tibetan sheep meat was investigated in this study. The longissimus dorsi muscles of ten Oula Tibetan sheep were selected for US treatment (40 kHz, 500 W/cm2). The results demonstrated that with the extension of the US treatment time, the water-loss rate of the meat samples increased, the cooking loss exhibited no significant difference, and the shear force value decreased. The total collagen content was highest at 30 min sonication sample, and the collagen solubility reached the maximum value at 45 min. The mechanical strength of samples was reduced. The muscle fibers shrank, the endomysium was destroyed, and the perimysium thickness was decreased after 15 min. The results revealed that the US treatment (40 kHz, 500 W/m2) improved meat texture and the properties of connective tissue of Oula Tibetan sheep meat.

Application of Nondestructive Techniques to Investigate Dissolvable Amorphous Metal Tungsten Nitride for Transient Electronics and Devices

Transient electronics can be gradually dissolved in a variety of liquids over time. The short-lived nature of such electronics has promoted their implementation in prospective applications, such as implantable electronics, dissolvable devices for secure systems, and environmentally biodegradable electronics. The amorphous metal tungsten nitride (WNx) has the remarkable ability to scale down to the nano-scale, allowing the fabrication of sub-1 volt nano-electromechanical (NEM) switches. When compared to silicon, amorphous WNx has a greater density and electrical conductivity, making it an even more appealing material for the design of accelerometers and resistive temperature detectors. Kinetic hydrolysis is observed by the dissolution of amorphous WNx in ground water. To better understand the kinetics of hydrolysis, in this paper, samples are dissolved in different solutions under different conditions over time. NEM switches immersed in ground water, de-ionized (DI) water, and salty water are subjected to temperatures of 0 °C (degrees Celsius), 25 °C (room temperature, RT), and 60 °C. Sonicated samples are tested at both room temperature (RT) and at 60 °C. During the course of dissolving, the resistivity of amorphous WNx is measured, and an increase in resistance is noted when the thickness of the amorphous WNx is reduced. The wettability of a solid can be easily determined by measuring its contact angle, which indicates either the hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the surface. The contact angle of the amorphous WNx is measured to be about 30.8°, indicating hydrophilicity. For the temperature sensor characterization, a probe station with a thermal chuck is used to apply heat from the bottom of the sensor. The actual real-time temperature of the amorphous WNx sensor is measured using a thermocouple tip on the surface of the sensor.

A 92 protein inflammation panel performed on sonicate fluid differentiates periprosthetic joint infection from non-infectious causes of arthroplasty failure

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a major complication of total joint arthroplasty, typically necessitating surgical intervention and prolonged antimicrobial therapy. Currently, there is no perfect assay for PJI diagnosis. Proteomic profiling of sonicate fluid has the potential to differentiate PJI from non-infectious arthroplasty failure (NIAF) and possibly clinical subsets of PJI and/or NIAF. In this study, 200 sonicate fluid samples, including 90 from subjects with NIAF (23 aseptic loosening, 35 instability, 10 stiffness, five osteolysis, and 17 other) and 110 from subjects with PJI (40 Staphylococcus aureus, 40 Staphylococcus epidermidis, 10 Staphylococcus lugdunensis, 10 Streptococcus agalactiae, and 10 Enterococcus faecalis) were analyzed by proximity extension assay using the 92 protein Inflammation Panel from Olink Proteomics. Thirty-seven of the 92 proteins examined, including CCL20, OSM, EN-RAGE, IL8, and IL6, were differentially expressed in PJI versus NIAF sonicate fluid samples, with none of the 92 proteins differentially expressed between staphylococcal versus non-staphylococcal PJI, nor between the different types of NIAF studied. IL-17A and CCL11 were differentially expressed between PJI caused by different bacterial species, with IL-17A detected at higher levels in S. aureus compared to S. epidermidis and S. lugdunensis PJI, and CCL11 detected at higher levels in S. epidermidis compared to S. aureus and S. agalactiae PJI. Receiver operative characteristic curve analysis identified individual proteins and combinations of proteins that could differentiate PJI from NIAF. Overall, proteomic profiling using this small protein panel was able to differentiate between PJI and NIAF sonicate samples and provide a better understanding of the immune response during arthroplasty failure.

SpICP-MS assessment of ZnONPs and TiO2NPs in moisturisers after a tip sonication sample pre-treatment

The use of zinc oxide (ZnONPs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) in cosmetic formulations to obtain protection against the sun's UV radiation has become a common practice owing to their high photo-stability and the absence of allergic reactions of these nanomaterials. The manufacturing of cosmetics modified with nanoparticles has been regulated in Europe since 2009. Nevertheless, methodologies for sample pre-treatment and characterisation (quantification and size assessment) of nanoparticles from complex matrices are scarce and still in development.The proposed methodology was based on the tip sonication of moisturisers in an organic solvent [40 mL of acetone, 40% amplitude, 5 min and discontinuous mode with 59 s of relax after 59 s tip sonication] followed by spICP-MS, which provides information about concentration and size of the NPs. The whole methodology was repeatable (RSDs lower than 10% for size and concentration values of ZnONPs and TiO2NPs) and accurate (analytical recoveries of 102 ± 12% and 119 ± 3%for ZnONPs and TiO2NPs standards, respectively).The over-all procedure was applied to several commercial moisturisers with solar sun protection. spICP-MS results were compared with total content of analyte in the extracts and in the acid digested samples. Finally, transmission electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis of extracts from moisturising creams was carried out as comparative (qualitative) assessment.

Dynamic analysis of sonic vibration drilling string with the sampling tool

Sonic vibration sampling technology is widely used due to its high sample fidelity, low disturbance to the stratum and environmental protection. The influence of the diameter variation of sonic drill string caused by the sampling tube on the axial vibration of the system is still unclear, which restricts the improvement of coring efficiency. In this study, an axial vibration model of a sonic drilling string with a sampling tool is established, which takes into account the section variation. Adopting numerical simulations, the influence of the drill string on the vibration characteristics of the system, the relationship between the excitation and the amplitude of the sampling bit, and the effect of the cross-sectional area on the bearing capacity of the drill string with the sampling tube are obtained. With the longer the sampling tube and the thicker the wall thickness, the lower the inherent frequency and the higher the bearing capacity. The results show that the discontinuity of the drill string section caused by the sampling tube inevitably affects the natural frequency and response of the drill string system. The model can provide a theoretical basis for the research of sonic vibration sampling engineering. Properly balancing parameters can improve drilling and sampling performance.

Production and characterisation of goat milk powder made from sonicated whole milk concentrates

In the present study, goat milk powder (GMP) was produced from sonicated whole milk concentrates for 0–60 min. The physicochemical, functional, and microbiological properties and powder flow behaviours of the GMP samples were determined. Sonication decreased firmness and consistency values of milk concentrate with the increased treatment time. L∗ value of the sonicated GMPs was higher than that of the control. The bulk density of samples was between 0.681 and 0.736 g cm−3, increased by sonication. However, sonication resulted in lower wettability, dispersibility, and foaming capacity. The D [3,2] value of GMPs ranged from 21.9 to 31.1 μm, increased by sonication. Sonication caused reduced cohesion and caking properties of GMPs compared with the control. Also, lower compaction levels at different flow rates were determined in the sonicated samples. In general, powder flow analyses showed that sonication improved GMP flow behaviour. Sonicated samples had reduced microbial load compared with the control.

Inoculation of sonicate fluid into blood culture bottles improves microbial detection in patients with orthopedic bone and soft tissue infections of the upper and lower extremities

BackgroundThe usefulness of sonicate fluid culture for biological tissues in orthopedic bone and soft tissue infections have not been reported. We assessed whether inoculating the sonicate fluid of bone and soft tissue into a blood culture bottle could increase the diagnostic accuracy for biofilm-related orthopedic infections. MethodsTwenty consecutive patients with infections (9 purulent arthritis, 4 osteomyelitis, 4 purulent tenosynovitis, 2 purulent bursitis, and 1 cellulitis) and 10 non-infected cases (6 carpal tunnel syndrome, 3 Dupuytren contracture, and 1 soft tissue tumor) between October 2018 and December 2020 were evaluated prospectively. We analyzed a total of 107 culture submissions (87 bone and tissue specimens and 20 controls); 42 intraoperative tissue specimens (32 infected samples and 10 non-infected samples) using the conventional method, 45 sonication samples (35 infected samples and 10 non-infected samples), and 20 control samples. Intraoperative infectious tissues were cultured using sonicate fluid culture in a blood culture bottle (SFC-CB). The applications of SFC-CB and the conventional culture method and the detection rate, sensitivity, and relationship between the sensitivity of the diagnostic methods and duration of administered preoperative antibiotics were assessed. ResultsThe causative microorganism was detected only by SFC-CB in five patients (25%). The sensitivity (85% vs. 60%; P = 0.077) and detection rate (80% vs. 60%; P = 0.065) were higher for SFC-CB than for the conventional culture method. The sensitivity of SFC-CB was significantly higher than that of the conventional culture method in cases in which preoperative antibiotics were administered for more than 1 week (77% vs. 39%; P = 0.047). ConclusionsUsing SFC-CB, the diagnostic accuracy for bone and soft tissue infection was significantly improved. As biofilms are readily formed in biological tissues, sonication may also be useful for diagnosis. SFC-CB was particularly useful for cases in which preoperative antibiotics were administered.

Optimization of critical parameters for coating of polymeric nanoparticles with plasma membrane vesicles by sonication

Top-down functionalization of nanoparticles with cellular membranes imparts nanoparticles with enhanced bio-interfacing capabilities. Initial methods for membrane coating involved physical co-extrusion of nanoparticles and membrane vesicles through a porous membrane; however, recent works employ sonication as the disruptive force to reform membranes around the surface of nanoparticles. Although sonication is widely used, there remains a paucity of information on the effects of sonication variables on coating efficiency, leading to inconsistent membrane coating across studies. In this work, we present a systematic analysis of the sonication parameters that influence the membrane coating. The results showed that sonication amplitude, time, temperature, membrane ratio, sample volume, and density need to be considered in order to optimize membrane coating of polymeric nanoparticles.

Evaluation and interpretation of prosthetic joint infection diagnostic investigations.

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is considered one of the most successful surgical procedures ever developed. It can successfully provide pain relief, restore joint function, and improve mobility and quality of life. Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) presents with a wide variety and severity of signs and symptoms. It remains a major threat to the outcome of TJA procedures and usually necessitates surgical intervention and prolonged courses of antibiotics. Inappropriate treatment of an unrecognized PJI usually ends with unacceptable and sometimes catastrophic results. The understanding and evaluation of diagnostic investigations are extremely important to properly diagnose PJI, including frequently unrecognized low-grade infections, and to provide healthcare professionals with needed information for the care of patients affected by this condition. This article aims to review most of the methods available in PJI diagnostics, to emphasize the strengths and the weaknesses of each of them, and to provide a guideline on how to select the surgical treatment strategy based on the level of diagnostic certainty during the evaluation period. To safely accomplish this, it is crucial to be aware of the limitations of each diagnostic modality. The emphasis will be on the use and interpretation of the core criteria for PJI diagnosis, including the pathognomonic sinus tract communicating with the implant, purulent synovial fluid, inflammation in the periprosthetic tissue, cell count with differential, microbial growth in the synovial fluid culture, tissue sample cultures, and sonication samples.

Implant sonication versus intraoperative tissue sample cultures for Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) of Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Introduction:Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is the most problematic complications after shoulder arthroplasty. Many diagnostic tools have been identified to find infection, such as hystopatologic examination of tissue sections or cultures of intraoperative tissue. Implant sonication fluid culture showed good results in order to enhance diagnostic accuracy, but literature results are still controversial. Aim of our study is to compare the results of sonication with intraoperative tissue sample cultures.Patients and Methods:From February 2016 to January 2018 we performed 102 revisions of Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA) for suspected PJI. Sixty - five patients respected the criteria for admission to the study and were enrolled. In each case periprostethic specimens were collected and explanted prosthesis were put inside sterile fluid, sonicated and then placed under culture.Results:Among the sixty-five patients, 36 were considered as possible, probable or certain infection. Tissue cultures were positive for infection in thirty - four cases (52,3%) and in nineteen cases was found the positivity for Cutibacterium acnes. Sonication fluid cultures were positive in forty cases (61,5%), with a positivity for Cutibacterium acnes in twenty - seven cases. The sensitivities of sonication and tissue cultures for the diagnosis of shoulder PJI were 83.3% and 88,9% (P = 0,08); the specificities were 65.5% and 93,1% (P < 0.01) respectively.Conclusion:Our results suggest that sonication technique had not shown a clear advantage in postoperative shoulder PJI diagnosis, but it’s a real aid to detect Cutibacterium acnes. In any case, sensitivity and mostly specificity were higher with tissue cultures. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Potential Effect of Cavitation on the Physical Properties of Interesterified Soybean Oil Using High‐Intensity Ultrasound: A Long‐Term Storage Study

AbstractThe objective of this research was to evaluate if cavitation events generated during sonication (20 kHz, 216 μm amplitude, 10 s) are responsible for changes in physical properties of a fat with low levels of saturated fatty acids and if these changes are maintained during storage. The fat was crystallized at 24 and 34 °C and stored at 25 °C for up to 24 weeks. An increase in solid fat content and melting enthalpy was observed for sonicated samples crystallized at 34 °C and an increase in elasticity was observed for sonicated samples crystallized at 24 °C (P &lt; 0.05). Hardness increased in sonicated samples crystallized at 24 and 34 °C (P &lt; 0.05) after 60 min of crystallization and after 24 weeks storage. Elasticity of non‐sonicated samples crystallized at 24 °C decreased (P &lt; 0.05) after storage at 25 °C for 48 h while it remained constant in sonicated samples. Sonicated samples had more, and smaller crystals compared to the non‐sonicated ones. No significant change was observed in physical properties of sonicated samples crystallized at 24 °C and 34 °C during the 24 weeks of storage. Sonication at 24 °C was less efficient at changing the physical properties of the fat compared to 34 °C; however, the number of subharmonic components generated during sonication at these two temperatures was not affected by crystallization temperature. These results suggest that changes in physical properties are associated with secondary effects of sonication such as bubble streamers rather than changes in cluster dynamics.

High rate of unexpected positive cultures in presumed aseptic revision of stiff shoulders after proximal humerus osteosynthesis

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of positive microbiology samples after osteosynthesis of proximal humerus fractures at the time of revision surgery and evaluate clinical characteristics of patients with positive culture results.MethodsAll patients, who underwent revision surgery after locked platting, medullary nailing or screw osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures between April 2013 and July 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with acute postoperative infections, those with apparent clinical signs of infection and those with ≤1 tissue or only sonication sample obtained at the time of implant removal were excluded. Positive culture results of revision surgery and its correlation with postoperative shoulder stiffness was analyzed in patients with an interval of ≥6 months between the index osteosynthesis and revision surgery.ResultsIntraoperatively obtained cultures were positive in 31 patients (50%). Cutibacterium acnes was the most commonly isolated microorganism, observed in 21 patients (67.7%), followed by coagulase negative staphylococci in 12 patients (38.7%). There were significantly more stiff patients in the culture positive group compared to the culture-negative group (19/21, 91% vs. 15/26, 58%, p = 0.02). Furthermore, 11 of 12 (91.7%) patients with growth of the same microorganism in at least two samples had a stiff shoulder compared to 23 of 35 (65.7%) patients with only one positive culture or negative culture results (p = 0.14).ConclusionInfection must always be considered as a possibility in the setting of revision surgery after proximal humerus osteosynthesis, especially in patients with postoperative stiffness.

A Sonic Sampling, a Nuancing of Space: Theoretical Insights and Elaborations on the Acoustic and Spatial ‘Turns’

This review critically engages with Susan Bennett’s Sound and Kim Solga’s Space—inaugural books in the authors’ co-edited series, Theory for Theatre Studies. It outlines key aspects of both books, evaluating their contribution to the fields of theatre and performance studies in terms of pedagogy and research. Sound and Space effectively foreground diverse theories specific to their topics. Working across disciplines and in relation to theatre and performance, both offer a number of case studies to elucidate theoretical approaches. As rigorous and foundational texts that illuminate discourses and practices around the ‘auditory turn’ and the ‘spatial turn,’ Sound and Space prompt readers to extend their thinking across theories, genres, disciplines, and time periods. Written accessibly for a wide readership—students, practitioners, researchers, teachers—these books inspire innovative thinking about sound and space in the theatre and in everyday life. Readers are directed to additional resources, including digital materials, encouraging further exploration and engagement with these topics.